By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – The City Council’s return to live meetings May 11, seen by some as an attempt to discourage the input of protesters who attended online meetings, sparked criticism and heated exchange. City Council President Susan Dabaja demanded protesters stop displaying signs while in the council chamber, and she sparked outrage when she tried to pre-emptively adjourn the meeting before all of the protesters in attendance had a chance to speak at the podium during citizen input … [Read more...] about Dearborn’s return to live council meetings sparks criticism from protesters
Featured Categories
Judge rules in favor of Bower in Sollars ballot eligibility case
By ZEINAB NAJM Sunday Times Newspapers TAYLOR — Mayor Rick Sollars is ineligible to appear on the city’s primary election ballot after Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny ruled in favor of City Clerk Cynthia Bower May 13. The reasoning behind the ruling is due to Sollars’ owing $2,500 in late fees, according to the Wayne County Clerk’s Campaign Finance System. Bower decided that Sollars was ineligible to be on the ballot because of failing to file at least seven campaign finance reports under the Michigan Campaign … [Read more...] about Judge rules in favor of Bower in Sollars ballot eligibility case
Dearborn PD seeks shooting suspect in murder
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – The Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Donta Orlando Cox, 31, who shot two people – one fatally – about 9 p.m. May 4 at the Pantheion Club, 12900 Michigan Ave. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest — $20,000 from the owner of the Pantheion Club, (who is publicly listed as George Manallokos), and $2,500 each from the U.S. Marshals Office and Crime Stoppers. Cox, who goes by the street name “Tay,” is known to have … [Read more...] about Dearborn PD seeks shooting suspect in murder
Community volunteer, activist Richard Duchene dies at 93
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers LINCOLN PARK – He was small of stature, almost dwarfed by the podium set up for citizen comments, but that never stopped Richard Duchene from speaking up loudly at city council meetings. “This is Richard Duchene” he would boom out, before voicing his opinion on one of the city council’s meeting’s hot topics. Sometimes he would just plug an event at the library, where he was an active volunteer, urging residents to take their newspapers to the library recycling bin. Because he was … [Read more...] about Community volunteer, activist Richard Duchene dies at 93
Ford Land proposes conversion of Rotunda Fields to industrial use
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – City Council members learned during an online May 6 special council meeting that Ford Land Development would like to convert the under-utilized Rotunda ballfields to industrial use. City Assessor Scott Miller said the creation of a special district is an indication of the city’s tentative comfortableness with the project. “It is telling the state that you guys, at this point, are comfortable with them moving forward and applying for the application,” he said. “It doesn’t mean … [Read more...] about Ford Land proposes conversion of Rotunda Fields to industrial use
Wyandotte elects DeSana mayor, 4 new council members
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers WYANDOTTE – Mayor Pro Tem Robert DeSana unofficially became mayor May 4, defeating challenger Frank Tarnowski, while just two incumbent city council members — Chris Calvin and Robert Alderman — were re-elected. Incumbent City Councilman Don Schultz lost his re-election bid, while incumbents Megan Maiani and Leonard Sabuda did not seek re-election to the council. The top council vote-getter was Kelly Stec, daughter of long-time City Clerk Lawrence Stec, who was re-elected after running … [Read more...] about Wyandotte elects DeSana mayor, 4 new council members
Chief of Staff Guido provides update on vaccination progress
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – Eighty percent of the city’s new COVID-19 cases are from the east side 48120 and 48126 ZIP codes, Chief of Staff Mark Guido said during the April 20 Mayor’s Briefing. He said the age of those contracting the coronavirus is trending younger, as well. “We are trying to reach out to our interfaith group, making a special effort with mosques to send appropriate messages during Ramadan,” he said. “The (Department of Public Information) is also working with other partners to try to … [Read more...] about Chief of Staff Guido provides update on vaccination progress
7 vie for Dearborn mayor’s spot; 19 running for 7 council seats
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – Seven mayoral candidates and 19 city council hopefuls have filed to run for office by the April 20 deadline, with George Darany running unopposed for re-election as city clerk. The candidates had until 4 p.m. April 23 to withdraw their candidacy in writing. The list will be finalized April 26 by the Wayne County Clerk’s office. An Aug. 3 primary election will narrow the field before the Nov. 2 general election. With Mayor John O’Reilly Jr., who has filled the office since … [Read more...] about 7 vie for Dearborn mayor’s spot; 19 running for 7 council seats
Haddad responds to backlash on Jaquan Murphy video
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN – Jaquan Murphy, who became the unintended focus of a March 30 viral video, was detained by police officers and taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, belying ill-informed accusations. Police Chief Ronald Haddad said the mentally ill man, with whom the Police Department has had 191 contacts in the past nine years, ranging from larceny to assault, also has a record of negative contact with police officers in Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Hamtramck, Oak Park, … [Read more...] about Haddad responds to backlash on Jaquan Murphy video
Dearborn sewer separation project to end early
By SUE SUCHYTA Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN — The city’s massive and disruptive sewer separation project, a result of the federally mandated Combined Sewer Overflow Control, will end in 2021, years ahead of schedule, city officials announced. The project, which was anticipated to take until 2025, is expected to realize a November 2021 completed date. The final phase will occur along several private parking lots and buildings along Michigan Avenue, between Telegraph and Gulley roads. The CSO project, which began in … [Read more...] about Dearborn sewer separation project to end early